US6088870A - Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles - Google Patents

Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US6088870A
US6088870A US09/247,401 US24740199A US6088870A US 6088870 A US6088870 A US 6088870A US 24740199 A US24740199 A US 24740199A US 6088870 A US6088870 A US 6088870A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
toothbrush
head
lattice
spines
bristle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US09/247,401
Inventor
Douglas J. Hohlbein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Colgate Palmolive Co
Original Assignee
Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Colgate Palmolive Co filed Critical Colgate Palmolive Co
Assigned to COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY reassignment COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HOHLBEIN, DOUGLAS J.
Priority to US09/247,401 priority Critical patent/US6088870A/en
Priority to GT200000012A priority patent/GT200000012A/en
Priority to EG20000141A priority patent/EG22671A/en
Priority to PE2000000094A priority patent/PE20001315A1/en
Priority to KR1020017009969A priority patent/KR100606524B1/en
Priority to HU0200156A priority patent/HUP0200156A2/en
Priority to IL14473500A priority patent/IL144735A0/en
Priority to IDW00200101875A priority patent/ID30356A/en
Priority to RU2001124817/12A priority patent/RU2244502C2/en
Priority to AT00907230T priority patent/ATE266953T1/en
Priority to EP00907230A priority patent/EP1150591B1/en
Priority to YU58001A priority patent/YU58001A/en
Priority to AU28759/00A priority patent/AU762347B2/en
Priority to JP2000598040A priority patent/JP2002536097A/en
Priority to PL00349922A priority patent/PL349922A1/en
Priority to CNB008061130A priority patent/CN1144551C/en
Priority to CZ20012887A priority patent/CZ20012887A3/en
Priority to CA002361549A priority patent/CA2361549C/en
Priority to SK1143-2001A priority patent/SK11432001A3/en
Priority to DE60010858T priority patent/DE60010858T2/en
Priority to ES00907230T priority patent/ES2221838T3/en
Priority to NZ513494A priority patent/NZ513494A/en
Priority to TR2001/02305T priority patent/TR200102305T2/en
Priority to ARP000100570A priority patent/AR024531A1/en
Priority to BR0008114-0A priority patent/BR0008114A/en
Priority to PA20008490501A priority patent/PA8490501A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2000/003333 priority patent/WO2000047083A1/en
Priority to TW090210331U priority patent/TW578482U/en
Priority to CO00008889A priority patent/CO5231168A1/en
Publication of US6088870A publication Critical patent/US6088870A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Priority to UA2001096184A priority patent/UA68415C2/en
Priority to NO20013885A priority patent/NO20013885L/en
Priority to ZA200106702A priority patent/ZA200106702B/en
Priority to BG105876A priority patent/BG64332B1/en
Priority to HK02103481.8A priority patent/HK1043716B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B9/00Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/02Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
    • A46B9/04Arranged like in or for toothbrushes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B5/00Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/002Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
    • A46B5/0025Brushes with elastically deformable heads that change shape during use
    • A46B5/0029Head made of soft plastics, rubber or rubber inserts in plastics matrix
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B3/00Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B9/00Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
    • A46B9/08Supports or guides for bristles
    • A46B9/10Adjustable supports

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to toothbrush heads and more particularly to toothbrush heads having bristles mounted in a flexibly resilient network, such that the bristles deflect to conform to the configuration of the teeth.
  • Conventional toothbrushes comprise uniform tufts of bristles each having a first end which is held captive in and fixed to a brush head, and a second end which is free and which is used for brushing.
  • the free ends of the various tufts present a surface envelope which is capable of slight deformation by the bristles bending when they come in contact with a surface to be brushed, but which is incapable of adequately matching a surface having a complex shape with varying levels.
  • Such a complex surface is present in the mouth, wherein the teeth generally lie in a "C" shaped curve within the upper and lower jaw, each row of teeth consequently having a convex outer curve and a concave inner curve.
  • the teeth themselves are contoured in an arcuate shape having significantly varying levels, including a deep "V" shaped interproximal area between one tooth and the next.
  • Toothbrushes such as those disclosed in PCT WO 98/35584, having bristle tufts capable of a toggling movement partially address the above problem.
  • PCT WO 98/35584 discloses bristle tufts mounted in a resilient material held within an array of rigid receptacles or wells whose connection to the overall frame or skeleton of the brush has been broken. As the tufts are solely connected to the brush by the resilient material they will independently toggle or move in all planes (upwards/downwards/sideways). However, such independent motion of the bristles will not cause them to conform to the configuration of the teeth.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,542 discloses a toothbrush in which the bristles are slidably mounted within a rigid head, resting upon a resiliently deformable membrane. There is a cavity within the head of the toothbrush below the membrane, such that the bristles are resiliently forced into the head as the bristles are applied to the teeth. This independent motion of the bristles, in one plane, will not cause them to conform to the sloping, arcuate, surfaces of the teeth.
  • U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,546, 5,483,722 and 5,839,149 disclose toothbrushes whose head is formed of a rigid frame supporting a flexible resilient member which has a series of linearly parallel lines or arrays of bristle tufts, which lines of bristle tufts are oriented along the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush.
  • the parallel lines of bristles are flexibly mounted, such that in brushing when a tooth is forced against the center line of tufts, that line of tufts will yield away from the tooth, causing the adjacent lines of bristle tufts to orient themselves about the sides of the tooth.
  • this contouring about the tooth is in two dimensions, these patents fail to address the overall three dimensional curvature of the teeth, especially the deep "v" shaped interproximal area between one tooth and the next.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,158 discloses a flexible head toothbrush having many embodiments, including a first embodiment in which the bristles may be mounted on head segments linked by grooves or thinned, i.e. flexible, connections which may be filled with a resilient elastomer.
  • a second embodiment comprises a toothbrush head having bristle mounting segments within a hard peripheral frame, the segments being linked at planar points located 90° to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the linkage being of thinned sections such that the segments may be made to rock about these links, in addition to flexing.
  • a third embodiment includes a hard peripheral frame containing a toothbrush head formed of one or more chains of bristle carriers, flexibly and resiliently linked to each other and linked to at least one end of the frame.
  • a fourth embodiment is formed of segments which are not joined to each other, but are flexibly and resiliently linked to the handle or to the frame, wherein the linkage to the frame may be by thinned sections or spines.
  • the various segments or bristle carriers will flex independently or at most in coordination with the adjacent segments or bristle carriers within the chain of bristle carriers; such limited coordination of the orientation of the bristle tufts about the tooth will not provide the conformation to the various arcuate surfaces of the tooth surfaces necessary for effective cleaning.
  • the present invention encompasses a toothbrush having bristle tufts which are capable of enhanced conformity to the arcuate tooth surfaces, said toothbrush comprised of a handle having a longitudinal axis and at one end thereof a head containing a plurality of bristle tufts extending therefrom; which head has a surrounding rigid periphery with an aperture extending therethrough and across which is a lattice or open network of flexibly resilient spines; wherein, each bristle tuft is anchored to said head at a node formed by the intersection of said spines.
  • the lattice has a portion which is free of spines, this portion being located central to the head and on each side of the longitudinal axis, such that the lattice segments on each side of the longitudinal axis will flex independently.
  • Each lattice segment flexes such that during brushing, as a tooth is forced against a bristle tuft, that bristle tuft will yield into the aperture and the immediate surrounding bristle tufts will tend to deflect toward that particular tooth, such deflecting bristle tufts conforming about the arcuate, three dimensional, surfaces of the particular tooth for more effective cleaning thereof.
  • FIG. 1 is a side plan view, showing the toothbrush with a typical flat bristle pattern.
  • FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the toothbrush showing within the head section the network of bristle tuft carriers supporting the bristles shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is an enlarged front plan view of the toothbrush head shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 4 is a section view, through section B--B of FIG. 3, showing in two dimensions the conformation of the bristles about the arcuate surfaces of a typical tooth.
  • FIG. 5 is a detail of the bristle tufts, showing the nodes within the network of bristle tuft carriers, i.e. the fused ends of the bristle tufts secured together by the connecting spines.
  • FIG. 6 is an alternate detail of the bristle tufts as shown in FIG. 5, i.e. the fused ends of the bristle tufts secured together by the connecting spines overmolded with an elastomer.
  • FIG. 2 a front plan view of such a toothbrush, 10, having head, 18, integral to a handle, 12, extending therefrom and a longitudinal axis, A--A, therethrough.
  • the head, 18, contains a face, 14, which has a central concavity across which is a lattice or open network of flexibly resilient bristle carriers embodying the features and construction of this invention.
  • Each bristle tuft, 16, is embedded and supported by a bristle tuft at each node, 20, which carrier located nodes as can be seen in FIG. 3, are formed at the junction at which the structural elements or spines, 22, of the lattice intersect.
  • the face of the toothbrush of the present invention, 14 has a peripheral frame or rigid periphery, 24, the rigid periphery defining an opening or aperture extending through the toothbrush head, 18.
  • the toothbrush can also be formed with a closure across the back of the toothbrush head, 18, in the form of a concave segment below and separated from the lattice.
  • the concavity below the lattice can extend from 50 to 80% of the distance from the face to back, i.e. the depth of the toothbrush head, which depth is up to about 1/4 of an inch.
  • the deflection of the bristle tuft carriers into the concavity, during brushing, is illustrated by FIG.
  • FIG. 4 which is a cross-section B--B of FIG. 3, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A--A of the toothbrush.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates only the conformation of the bristles about the tooth in two dimensions with the deflection of the center bristle tuft, 26, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4.
  • bristle tuft, 26, extending from the bristle tuft carrier at node 26a will not only cause the adjacent bristle tufts perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A--A to deflect toward node 26a and conform to the tooth; but, also the adjacent bristle tufts parallel to the longitudinal axis A--A will deflect toward and conform about the tooth providing the present inventions three dimensional conformity to the tooth for effective cleaning thereof.
  • the lattice of spines extending across the face, 14, of the toothbrush has a central portion free of said spines, such that the spines located central to the head, 18, and parallel to the longitudinal axis, A--A, do not intersect, i.e. are not connected (see FIG. 3).
  • This discontinuity within the lattice allows the separate tuft supporting network segments, on each side of the longitudinal axis, to move independently. Such independent movement of the tuft supporting network segments facilitates the toothbrushes simultaneous cleaning of different teeth and areas of the dentiture as occurs during brushing.
  • the head, 18, comprised of the neck, the peripheral frame, 24, and the lattice or network of flexibly resilient bristle carriers is preferably integral with the toothbrushes handle, 12, i.e. molded or otherwise formed as a single piece.
  • the periphery of the head, 24, is at least 1/32 of an inch in width, and preferably at least 1/16 of an inch in width, so as to be rigid enough to adequately support the network of nodes, 20, attached thereto.
  • the network of bristle tuft carriers, including the spines, 22, and nodes, 20, are of a flexible and resilient maternal, preferably of polypropylene.
  • the spines, 22, can be of polyethylene or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or a combination thereof.
  • TPE thermoplastic elastomer
  • the degree, of flexibility and resilience of the spines, 22, can be further controlled by varying their dimensions, e.g. reducing the depth or thickness of each spine, 22, to provide additional flexibility or by providing an overcoating, 30, of a second elastomer about each spine, 22, and node, 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
  • TPE materials including athermoplastic vulcanate (TPV) which consists of a mixture of polyproplyene and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers) which is available as Santoprene (brand), described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,796; or Vyram (brand), another TPV consisting of a mixture of polypropylene and natural rubber, both Santoprene and Vyram being elastomers marketed by Advanced Elastomer Systems LP, Akron, Ohio 44311.
  • TPV thermoplastic vulcanate
  • EPDM ethylene propylene diene monomers
  • Vyram brand
  • Another, and preferred TPE is Dynaflex G6713 (brand), marketed by GLS Corp., Cary, Ill. 60013.
  • These and other suitable elastomers have, typically, a Shore A hardness of from about 13 to 94, with about 29 being a preferred hardness.
  • Toothbrushes today are typically molded of polyproplyene, in the present invention it is preferred that the lattice or network of bristle tuft carriers also be of polyproplyene to facilitate one-step molding of the toothbrush.
  • the handle, 12, head, 18, and lattice can be of polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate.
  • a preferred polypropylene is Huntsman Polypropylene 5520 (Brand), manufactured by the Huntsman Polypropylene Corporation, Hinsdale, Ill. 60521.
  • the toothbrush of the present invention can be molded as a "dual component" toothbrush, by which is meant that the flexibly resilient material of the bristle supporting network or lattice is of a material different than that of the hard plastic toothbrush head, 18, and handle, 12.
  • the lattice material may be introduced into the head area by a second injection step, after that used for the injection molding of the hard bristle implanting head and handle.
  • the semi-finished toothbrush is positioned in a second mold into which the lattice material is injected about the interior of the rigid periphery, 24.
  • a groove or recess can be provided about the upper surface of the interior of the rigid periphery.
  • a one-step molding process can be utilized in the manufacture of toothbrushes of the present invention, when the head, 18, contains an aperture extending therethrough and when the lattice is of the same material as the remainder of the toothbrush frame, i.e. the head, 18, and handle, 12.
  • a two-step molding process must be used whenever the head, 18, of the toothbrush contains a concavity below the lattice, this concavity is formed by the toothbrush having an enclosed back, such enclosure being separated from the lattice.
  • the toothbrush frame and integral lattice are formed in a first injection mold and the semi-finished toothbrush is repositioned in a second injection mold, wherein the back enclosure is formed.
  • Facilitation of two step injection molding of toothbrushes of the present invention can be by using a two component mold.
  • Two component molds are available from Machines Boucherie N.V., Izegem, Belgium; which molds can be mounted in typical injection molding machines for such implementing the two step injection process, such machines including 300 ton, two component injection molding machines available from Engel Canada, Inc., Guelph, Ontario.
  • the toothbrush bristles may be implanted as the nodes of the flexibly resilient elastomeric material of the bristle supporting network are formed using non-staple, in-mold tufting (IMT) technology as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,609,890, 5,390,984, and 5,533791.
  • IMT technology involves a process and the associated machinery wherein each tuft of bristles is first pre-formed into an assembly by fusing its base of bristles together into a knob. This knob is then held in the mold into which the flexibly resilient material of the bristle supporting network or lattice is injected, such that the material flows about the knob, anchoring the tuft into place within the toothbrush face, 14.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates finished IMT tufts of bristles, 16; wherein, the material of the bristle supporting network, i.e. the spines, 22, surrounds and anchors the knob, 28, at the base of each bristle tuft, 16.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toothbrush having bristles mounted on a flexibly resilient lattice network, such that the bristles deflect during brushing to conform to the various arcuate surfaces of the teeth for more effective cleaning thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to toothbrush heads and more particularly to toothbrush heads having bristles mounted in a flexibly resilient network, such that the bristles deflect to conform to the configuration of the teeth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional toothbrushes comprise uniform tufts of bristles each having a first end which is held captive in and fixed to a brush head, and a second end which is free and which is used for brushing. The free ends of the various tufts present a surface envelope which is capable of slight deformation by the bristles bending when they come in contact with a surface to be brushed, but which is incapable of adequately matching a surface having a complex shape with varying levels. Such a complex surface is present in the mouth, wherein the teeth generally lie in a "C" shaped curve within the upper and lower jaw, each row of teeth consequently having a convex outer curve and a concave inner curve. Further, the teeth themselves are contoured in an arcuate shape having significantly varying levels, including a deep "V" shaped interproximal area between one tooth and the next.
The desire of users to cause the bristles to conform to the teeth and to penetrate the interproximal spaces between the teeth is expressed by the forceful application of the brush to adequately deform the bristles to the arcuate contours of the dentiture. Such forceful application of the brush against the teeth merely leads to excessive wear of the tooth surfaces and gums, without adequate conformation of the brush about and between the teeth to provide the desired cleaning.
Toothbrushes such as those disclosed in PCT WO 98/35584, having bristle tufts capable of a toggling movement partially address the above problem. PCT WO 98/35584 discloses bristle tufts mounted in a resilient material held within an array of rigid receptacles or wells whose connection to the overall frame or skeleton of the brush has been broken. As the tufts are solely connected to the brush by the resilient material they will independently toggle or move in all planes (upwards/downwards/sideways). However, such independent motion of the bristles will not cause them to conform to the configuration of the teeth.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,542 discloses a toothbrush in which the bristles are slidably mounted within a rigid head, resting upon a resiliently deformable membrane. There is a cavity within the head of the toothbrush below the membrane, such that the bristles are resiliently forced into the head as the bristles are applied to the teeth. This independent motion of the bristles, in one plane, will not cause them to conform to the sloping, arcuate, surfaces of the teeth.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,546, 5,483,722 and 5,839,149 disclose toothbrushes whose head is formed of a rigid frame supporting a flexible resilient member which has a series of linearly parallel lines or arrays of bristle tufts, which lines of bristle tufts are oriented along the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. In each of the these patents the parallel lines of bristles are flexibly mounted, such that in brushing when a tooth is forced against the center line of tufts, that line of tufts will yield away from the tooth, causing the adjacent lines of bristle tufts to orient themselves about the sides of the tooth. As this contouring about the tooth is in two dimensions, these patents fail to address the overall three dimensional curvature of the teeth, especially the deep "v" shaped interproximal area between one tooth and the next.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,158 discloses a flexible head toothbrush having many embodiments, including a first embodiment in which the bristles may be mounted on head segments linked by grooves or thinned, i.e. flexible, connections which may be filled with a resilient elastomer. A second embodiment comprises a toothbrush head having bristle mounting segments within a hard peripheral frame, the segments being linked at planar points located 90° to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the linkage being of thinned sections such that the segments may be made to rock about these links, in addition to flexing. A third embodiment includes a hard peripheral frame containing a toothbrush head formed of one or more chains of bristle carriers, flexibly and resiliently linked to each other and linked to at least one end of the frame. A fourth embodiment is formed of segments which are not joined to each other, but are flexibly and resiliently linked to the handle or to the frame, wherein the linkage to the frame may be by thinned sections or spines. In each embodiment the various segments or bristle carriers will flex independently or at most in coordination with the adjacent segments or bristle carriers within the chain of bristle carriers; such limited coordination of the orientation of the bristle tufts about the tooth will not provide the conformation to the various arcuate surfaces of the tooth surfaces necessary for effective cleaning.
There is a need for a toothbrush, wherein the bristles coordinate their orientation to conform to the three dimensional arcuate tooth surfaces and the deep "v" shaped interproximal area between one tooth and the next, such as to provide effective overall cleaning.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention encompasses a toothbrush having bristle tufts which are capable of enhanced conformity to the arcuate tooth surfaces, said toothbrush comprised of a handle having a longitudinal axis and at one end thereof a head containing a plurality of bristle tufts extending therefrom; which head has a surrounding rigid periphery with an aperture extending therethrough and across which is a lattice or open network of flexibly resilient spines; wherein, each bristle tuft is anchored to said head at a node formed by the intersection of said spines. The lattice has a portion which is free of spines, this portion being located central to the head and on each side of the longitudinal axis, such that the lattice segments on each side of the longitudinal axis will flex independently. Each lattice segment flexes such that during brushing, as a tooth is forced against a bristle tuft, that bristle tuft will yield into the aperture and the immediate surrounding bristle tufts will tend to deflect toward that particular tooth, such deflecting bristle tufts conforming about the arcuate, three dimensional, surfaces of the particular tooth for more effective cleaning thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side plan view, showing the toothbrush with a typical flat bristle pattern.
FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the toothbrush showing within the head section the network of bristle tuft carriers supporting the bristles shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front plan view of the toothbrush head shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a section view, through section B--B of FIG. 3, showing in two dimensions the conformation of the bristles about the arcuate surfaces of a typical tooth.
FIG. 5 is a detail of the bristle tufts, showing the nodes within the network of bristle tuft carriers, i.e. the fused ends of the bristle tufts secured together by the connecting spines.
FIG. 6 is an alternate detail of the bristle tufts as shown in FIG. 5, i.e. the fused ends of the bristle tufts secured together by the connecting spines overmolded with an elastomer.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements among the several figures, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2; wherein there is shown a toothbrush, 10, in accordance with the present invention. Referring specifically to FIG. 2, a front plan view of such a toothbrush, 10, having head, 18, integral to a handle, 12, extending therefrom and a longitudinal axis, A--A, therethrough. The head, 18, contains a face, 14, which has a central concavity across which is a lattice or open network of flexibly resilient bristle carriers embodying the features and construction of this invention. Shown in FIG. 1, extending from the face, 14, are rows of bristle tufts, 16, transverse to the longitudinal axis A--A. Each bristle tuft, 16, is embedded and supported by a bristle tuft at each node, 20, which carrier located nodes as can be seen in FIG. 3, are formed at the junction at which the structural elements or spines, 22, of the lattice intersect.
As in FIG. 3, the face of the toothbrush of the present invention, 14, has a peripheral frame or rigid periphery, 24, the rigid periphery defining an opening or aperture extending through the toothbrush head, 18. Alternatively, the toothbrush can also be formed with a closure across the back of the toothbrush head, 18, in the form of a concave segment below and separated from the lattice. In the case where the back of the toothbrush is enclosed, the concavity below the lattice can extend from 50 to 80% of the distance from the face to back, i.e. the depth of the toothbrush head, which depth is up to about 1/4 of an inch. The deflection of the bristle tuft carriers into the concavity, during brushing, is illustrated by FIG. 4, which is a cross-section B--B of FIG. 3, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A--A of the toothbrush. FIG. 4 illustrates only the conformation of the bristles about the tooth in two dimensions with the deflection of the center bristle tuft, 26, in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG 3, it can be seen that the deflection of bristle tuft, 26, extending from the bristle tuft carrier at node 26a, will not only cause the adjacent bristle tufts perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A--A to deflect toward node 26a and conform to the tooth; but, also the adjacent bristle tufts parallel to the longitudinal axis A--A will deflect toward and conform about the tooth providing the present inventions three dimensional conformity to the tooth for effective cleaning thereof.
Further, within the present invention the lattice of spines extending across the face, 14, of the toothbrush has a central portion free of said spines, such that the spines located central to the head, 18, and parallel to the longitudinal axis, A--A, do not intersect, i.e. are not connected (see FIG. 3). This discontinuity within the lattice allows the separate tuft supporting network segments, on each side of the longitudinal axis, to move independently. Such independent movement of the tuft supporting network segments facilitates the toothbrushes simultaneous cleaning of different teeth and areas of the dentiture as occurs during brushing.
The head, 18, comprised of the neck, the peripheral frame, 24, and the lattice or network of flexibly resilient bristle carriers is preferably integral with the toothbrushes handle, 12, i.e. molded or otherwise formed as a single piece. The periphery of the head, 24, is at least 1/32 of an inch in width, and preferably at least 1/16 of an inch in width, so as to be rigid enough to adequately support the network of nodes, 20, attached thereto.
The network of bristle tuft carriers, including the spines, 22, and nodes, 20, are of a flexible and resilient maternal, preferably of polypropylene. Alternatively, the spines, 22, can be of polyethylene or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or a combination thereof. The degree, of flexibility and resilience of the spines, 22, can be further controlled by varying their dimensions, e.g. reducing the depth or thickness of each spine, 22, to provide additional flexibility or by providing an overcoating, 30, of a second elastomer about each spine, 22, and node, 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Acceptable TPE materials, including athermoplastic vulcanate (TPV) which consists of a mixture of polyproplyene and EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers) which is available as Santoprene (brand), described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,796; or Vyram (brand), another TPV consisting of a mixture of polypropylene and natural rubber, both Santoprene and Vyram being elastomers marketed by Advanced Elastomer Systems LP, Akron, Ohio 44311. Another, and preferred TPE is Dynaflex G6713 (brand), marketed by GLS Corp., Cary, Ill. 60013. These and other suitable elastomers have, typically, a Shore A hardness of from about 13 to 94, with about 29 being a preferred hardness.
Toothbrushes today are typically molded of polyproplyene, in the present invention it is preferred that the lattice or network of bristle tuft carriers also be of polyproplyene to facilitate one-step molding of the toothbrush. If a clear appearance is desired, the handle, 12, head, 18, and lattice can be of polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate. A preferred polypropylene is Huntsman Polypropylene 5520 (Brand), manufactured by the Huntsman Polypropylene Corporation, Hinsdale, Ill. 60521.
If desired, the toothbrush of the present invention can be molded as a "dual component" toothbrush, by which is meant that the flexibly resilient material of the bristle supporting network or lattice is of a material different than that of the hard plastic toothbrush head, 18, and handle, 12. The method of manufacture of such a dual component toothbrush by conventional dual component injection molding technology is well known in the art. For example, in accordance with the present invention, the lattice material may be introduced into the head area by a second injection step, after that used for the injection molding of the hard bristle implanting head and handle. In this second injection step the semi-finished toothbrush is positioned in a second mold into which the lattice material is injected about the interior of the rigid periphery, 24. To increase the surface area for the elastomer to adhere to the rigid periphery, 24, for increased adhesion thereto, a groove or recess can be provided about the upper surface of the interior of the rigid periphery.
A one-step molding process can be utilized in the manufacture of toothbrushes of the present invention, when the head, 18, contains an aperture extending therethrough and when the lattice is of the same material as the remainder of the toothbrush frame, i.e. the head, 18, and handle, 12. In contrast, a two-step molding process must be used whenever the head, 18, of the toothbrush contains a concavity below the lattice, this concavity is formed by the toothbrush having an enclosed back, such enclosure being separated from the lattice. In such a two-step molding process, the toothbrush frame and integral lattice are formed in a first injection mold and the semi-finished toothbrush is repositioned in a second injection mold, wherein the back enclosure is formed.
Facilitation of two step injection molding of toothbrushes of the present invention can be by using a two component mold. Two component molds are available from Machines Boucherie N.V., Izegem, Belgium; which molds can be mounted in typical injection molding machines for such implementing the two step injection process, such machines including 300 ton, two component injection molding machines available from Engel Canada, Inc., Guelph, Ontario.
The toothbrush bristles may be implanted as the nodes of the flexibly resilient elastomeric material of the bristle supporting network are formed using non-staple, in-mold tufting (IMT) technology as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,609,890, 5,390,984, and 5,533791. Such IMT technology involves a process and the associated machinery wherein each tuft of bristles is first pre-formed into an assembly by fusing its base of bristles together into a knob. This knob is then held in the mold into which the flexibly resilient material of the bristle supporting network or lattice is injected, such that the material flows about the knob, anchoring the tuft into place within the toothbrush face, 14. FIG. 5 illustrates finished IMT tufts of bristles, 16; wherein, the material of the bristle supporting network, i.e. the spines, 22, surrounds and anchors the knob, 28, at the base of each bristle tuft, 16.

Claims (7)

What is claimed is:
1. A toothbrush having bristle tufts capable of providing enhanced conformity to arcuate tooth surfaces, comprising:
a handle having a longitudinal axis and a head at one end thereof, which head contains a face having a plurality of said bristle tufts extending therefrom;
said face having a rigid periphery, within which rigid periphery is an aperture extending therethrough;
a network of flexibly resilient spines forming a lattice extending across said aperture and attached to said rigid periphery;
said lattice having a center portion which is free of said spines;
said lattice having nodes located at the intersection of said spines, each node having one of said bristle tufts anchored therein.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the rigid periphery is at least 1/32 of an inch in width.
3. The toothbrush of clam 1, wherein the spines are of a flexible and resilient material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, a thermoplastic elastomer and a combination thereof.
4. A toothbrush exhibiting enhanced conformity to arcuate tooth surfaces for enhanced cleaning, comprising:
a handle having a longitudinal axis and a head at one end thereof, which head contains a face having a plurality of bristle tufts extending therefrom;
said face having a rigid periphery, to which rigid periphery is attached a network of flexibly resilient spines forming a lattice extending across said face;
said lattice having a center portion which is free of said spines;
said lattice having nodes located at the intersection of the spines, each node having one of said bristle tufts anchored therein;
said head having a concave portion therein, beneath said lattice and extending across said head.
5. The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the concave portion can extend from 50 to 80% of the depth of the toothbrush head.
6. The toothbrush of claim 4, wherein the rigid periphery is at least 1/32 of an inch in width.
7. The toothbrush of clam 4, wherein the spines are of a flexible and resilient material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, a thermoplastic elastomer and a combination thereof.
US09/247,401 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles Expired - Lifetime US6088870A (en)

Priority Applications (34)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/247,401 US6088870A (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
GT200000012A GT200000012A (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-07 TOOTHBRUSH HEAD WITH FLEXIBLE PIGS MOUNTED.
EG20000141A EG22671A (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-07 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
PE2000000094A PE20001315A1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-08 TOOTHBRUSH HEAD WITH MOUNTED FLEXIBLE BRISTLES
SK1143-2001A SK11432001A3 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
NZ513494A NZ513494A (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
IL14473500A IL144735A0 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
IDW00200101875A ID30356A (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 DENTAL BRUSH HEAD WITH FLEXIBLE BRUSHING BRUSHES
RU2001124817/12A RU2244502C2 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Dental brush
AT00907230T ATE266953T1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 TOOTHBRUSH HEAD PART WITH FLEXIBLE BRUSH HOLDER
EP00907230A EP1150591B1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
YU58001A YU58001A (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounter bristles
AU28759/00A AU762347B2 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
JP2000598040A JP2002536097A (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head having toothbrush bristles mounted to be flexible
PL00349922A PL349922A1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
CNB008061130A CN1144551C (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
CZ20012887A CZ20012887A3 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles and process for producing thereof
CA002361549A CA2361549C (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
KR1020017009969A KR100606524B1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
DE60010858T DE60010858T2 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 TOOTHBRUSH HEAD WITH FLEXIBLE BRUSH BRACKET
ES00907230T ES2221838T3 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 TOOTHBRUSH HEAD WITH FLEXIBLE MOUNTED PIGS.
HU0200156A HUP0200156A2 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
TR2001/02305T TR200102305T2 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with bendable bristles
ARP000100570A AR024531A1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 A DENTAL BRUSH WITH PIG MECHONS, ABLE TO PROVIDE AN IMPROVED CONFORMITY TO THE ARCUAL SURFACES OF THE TEETH AND A PROCESS TO MAKE A DENTAL BRUSH.
BR0008114-0A BR0008114A (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush, and, process to do the same
PA20008490501A PA8490501A1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 TOOTHBRUSH HEAD WITH FLEXIBLY MOUNTED BRISTLES.
PCT/US2000/003333 WO2000047083A1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-09 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
TW090210331U TW578482U (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-10 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
CO00008889A CO5231168A1 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-02-10 DENTAL BRUSH WITH IMPROVED CONFORMITY AND THE PROCESS TO PREPARE IT
UA2001096184A UA68415C2 (en) 1999-02-10 2000-09-02 Toothbrush (variants) and a method of manufacturing thereof
NO20013885A NO20013885L (en) 1999-02-10 2001-08-09 Toothbrush head with flexible mounted brush
ZA200106702A ZA200106702B (en) 1999-02-10 2001-08-14 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles.
BG105876A BG64332B1 (en) 1999-02-10 2001-09-05 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles and method for the preparation thereof
HK02103481.8A HK1043716B (en) 1999-02-10 2002-05-07 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/247,401 US6088870A (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US6088870A true US6088870A (en) 2000-07-18

Family

ID=22934786

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/247,401 Expired - Lifetime US6088870A (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles

Country Status (34)

Country Link
US (1) US6088870A (en)
EP (1) EP1150591B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2002536097A (en)
KR (1) KR100606524B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1144551C (en)
AR (1) AR024531A1 (en)
AT (1) ATE266953T1 (en)
AU (1) AU762347B2 (en)
BG (1) BG64332B1 (en)
BR (1) BR0008114A (en)
CA (1) CA2361549C (en)
CO (1) CO5231168A1 (en)
CZ (1) CZ20012887A3 (en)
DE (1) DE60010858T2 (en)
EG (1) EG22671A (en)
ES (1) ES2221838T3 (en)
GT (1) GT200000012A (en)
HK (1) HK1043716B (en)
HU (1) HUP0200156A2 (en)
ID (1) ID30356A (en)
IL (1) IL144735A0 (en)
NO (1) NO20013885L (en)
NZ (1) NZ513494A (en)
PA (1) PA8490501A1 (en)
PE (1) PE20001315A1 (en)
PL (1) PL349922A1 (en)
RU (1) RU2244502C2 (en)
SK (1) SK11432001A3 (en)
TR (1) TR200102305T2 (en)
TW (1) TW578482U (en)
UA (1) UA68415C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2000047083A1 (en)
YU (1) YU58001A (en)
ZA (1) ZA200106702B (en)

Cited By (72)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6351868B1 (en) * 1998-06-05 2002-03-05 E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Company Bristle sub-assemblies having parallel pairs of bristles; and methods
US20030041402A1 (en) * 2001-09-06 2003-03-06 Bernd Stein Methods of manufacturing toothbrushes
US6544169B2 (en) 2001-01-29 2003-04-08 Barzell Whitmore Maroon Bells, Inc. Eyelid retraction device
US20040025274A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2004-02-12 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
WO2004014181A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2004-02-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible dome toothbrush
WO2004014183A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2004-02-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible toothbrush
US20040074034A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-04-22 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
WO2004019801A3 (en) * 2002-08-27 2004-04-22 Colgate Palmolive Co Toothbrush with flexible membrane
WO2004039208A1 (en) * 2002-10-28 2004-05-13 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20040117930A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-24 3M Innovative Properties Company Toothbrush
US20040177462A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2004-09-16 The Gillette Company Toothbrush head
US20050066462A1 (en) * 2003-09-26 2005-03-31 Moskovich Robert A. Flexible toothbrush head
US20050091767A1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2005-05-05 Eduardo Jimenez Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
US20050188487A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2005-09-01 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
US20050188489A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2005-09-01 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
GB2413267A (en) * 2004-04-19 2005-10-26 Paul Michael Clements A rotary toothbrush powered by a hand operated lever
US20050235439A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2005-10-27 The Gillette Company Toothbrush
US20060090276A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush and method of making the same
US20070204417A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2007-09-06 Russell Bruce M Toothbrush
KR100879187B1 (en) * 2002-07-18 2009-01-16 주식회사 엘지생활건강 Toothbrush having type of double-head
US20090038097A1 (en) * 2005-06-09 2009-02-12 Christoph Geiberger Toothbrush
CN100469276C (en) * 2002-08-09 2009-03-18 高露洁-棕榄公司 Flexible arched-top toothbrush
US7614111B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2009-11-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US20100072641A1 (en) * 2008-09-24 2010-03-25 Alice Weimin Liu Method for Cast Molding Contact Lenses
US20100263148A1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2010-10-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
US7841041B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2010-11-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD632484S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2011-02-15 Eduardo Jimenez Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner
US20110047734A1 (en) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-03 Colgate Palmolive Oral Care Implement Having A Turbine-Like Arrangement of Cleaning Elements
US20110047736A1 (en) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-03 Colgate Palmolive Oral Care Implement Having Diverging Cleaning Elements
EP2292118A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2011-03-09 Trisa Holding AG Toothbrush and method for producing the same
USD637003S1 (en) 2006-05-08 2011-05-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD637400S1 (en) 2006-05-08 2011-05-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7941886B2 (en) 2003-09-19 2011-05-17 Braun Gmbh Toothbrushes
US20110152909A1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2011-06-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral Care Implement Multiple Soft Tissue Cleaner Components
US20110146014A1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2011-06-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral Care Implement Having A Closed-Loop Arrangement of Cleaning Elements
US8091170B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2012-01-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD654270S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-02-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush handle
USD654696S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-02-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner
USD654695S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-02-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8132284B1 (en) * 1999-04-09 2012-03-13 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Toothbrush
US8151397B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2012-04-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
US8281448B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2012-10-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having one or more moving sections
USD675830S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2013-02-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20130205529A1 (en) * 2010-10-25 2013-08-15 Zahoransky Formenbau Gmbh Brush and method for producing a brush
US8578544B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2013-11-12 The Gillette Company Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same
USRE44819E1 (en) 2000-03-16 2014-04-01 Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company Toothbrush
US8806695B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-08-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
US8876221B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-11-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US8990996B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2015-03-31 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
DE10303548B4 (en) * 2003-01-29 2016-10-20 M + C Schiffer Gmbh Brush and method for its manufacture
USD780457S1 (en) 2014-12-23 2017-03-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10021959B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2018-07-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multi-component handle
US10182644B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-01-22 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10226118B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-03-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multi-component handle
US10376349B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2019-08-13 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly
US10426250B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-10-01 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10455931B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-10-29 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10500024B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2019-12-10 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly and methods of manufacture
US10575627B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2020-03-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly and methods of manufacture
US10595628B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-03-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10660430B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-05-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multi-component handle
US10687610B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-06-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10743646B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-08-18 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10750847B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2020-08-25 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head arrangements
US10799014B2 (en) * 2015-07-20 2020-10-13 Manta Hair Limited Flexible hair brush
US11160361B2 (en) 2019-06-28 2021-11-02 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly
US11229281B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2022-01-25 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US11291293B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2022-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD960582S1 (en) 2020-12-10 2022-08-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care refill head
US11517412B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2022-12-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD997567S1 (en) 2018-12-18 2023-09-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Electric toothbrush
US11833004B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2023-12-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6564416B1 (en) 2000-05-22 2003-05-20 Gillette Canada Company Toothbrush
DE10153369B4 (en) * 2001-10-29 2005-10-06 Javanbakhsh, Hassan / Auch: Hasan Air and waterbed toothbrush system
DE10164336A1 (en) 2001-12-28 2003-07-17 Trisa Holding Ag Triengen Toothbrush and method of making such a toothbrush
US6817054B2 (en) * 2002-08-09 2004-11-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
KR101388967B1 (en) 2011-09-23 2014-05-14 이팔형 Toothbrush
JP2015532850A (en) * 2012-09-21 2015-11-16 ネオビ シーオー.,エルティーディーNeob Co.,Ltd toothbrush
GB201600846D0 (en) * 2016-01-18 2016-03-02 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healt Novel device
AU2017251908A1 (en) 2016-04-20 2018-11-01 Trisa Holding Ag Brush product and method for the production thereof

Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2722031A (en) * 1952-06-21 1955-11-01 Louis R Bressler Brush having relatively movable bristle carrying sections
US2730747A (en) * 1952-06-21 1956-01-17 Louis R Bressler Brush having relatively movable bristle carrying sections
US4423531A (en) * 1982-09-27 1984-01-03 Pro-Flex, Inc. Flexible hairbrush
US4633542A (en) * 1984-04-13 1987-01-06 Laboratoires Pharmascience Brush having resiliently retractable bristles, in particular for brushing surfaces of complex shape, such as teeth
EP0175084B1 (en) * 1984-09-14 1991-10-09 Jeanie Frances Kaufman Toothbrush
US5355546A (en) * 1992-12-11 1994-10-18 Scheier Paul A Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support
US5651158A (en) * 1991-03-27 1997-07-29 Lingner & Fischer Gmbh Toothbrush with resiliently flexible head
US5774923A (en) * 1993-09-27 1998-07-07 Smithkline Beecham Plc Toothbrush having a flexibly linked zone in its head
WO1998035584A1 (en) * 1997-02-17 1998-08-20 Unilever Plc A toothbrush with flexibly mounted bristles
US5813079A (en) * 1991-03-27 1998-09-29 Lingner & Fischer Gmbh Toothbrush having a flexibility linked zone in its head
US5836036A (en) * 1997-06-20 1998-11-17 Ivory; Brian Self cleaning toothbrush
US5839149A (en) * 1996-08-26 1998-11-24 Scheier; Paul A. Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2064860A (en) * 1935-03-06 1936-12-22 Sekine Ioji Brush
US3798699A (en) * 1971-06-17 1974-03-26 Tucel Industries Synthetic tufted constructions
DE3025010A1 (en) * 1980-07-02 1982-01-21 Krysta, geb. Reichel, Anni, 8534 Wilhermsdorf Paint brush with tufts of bristles - has pins holding bristles connected by bridge pieces in bottom holder, with clamp
FR2524783A1 (en) * 1982-04-07 1983-10-14 Oreal HAIR BRUSH WITH PLASTIC FLEXIBLE BASE PLATE
US4898760A (en) 1987-11-17 1990-02-06 Amesbury Industries, Inc. Process and apparatus for extruding a low density elastomeric thermoplastic foam

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2730747A (en) * 1952-06-21 1956-01-17 Louis R Bressler Brush having relatively movable bristle carrying sections
US2722031A (en) * 1952-06-21 1955-11-01 Louis R Bressler Brush having relatively movable bristle carrying sections
US4423531A (en) * 1982-09-27 1984-01-03 Pro-Flex, Inc. Flexible hairbrush
US4633542A (en) * 1984-04-13 1987-01-06 Laboratoires Pharmascience Brush having resiliently retractable bristles, in particular for brushing surfaces of complex shape, such as teeth
EP0175084B1 (en) * 1984-09-14 1991-10-09 Jeanie Frances Kaufman Toothbrush
US5651158A (en) * 1991-03-27 1997-07-29 Lingner & Fischer Gmbh Toothbrush with resiliently flexible head
US5813079A (en) * 1991-03-27 1998-09-29 Lingner & Fischer Gmbh Toothbrush having a flexibility linked zone in its head
US5483722A (en) * 1992-12-11 1996-01-16 Scheier; Paul A. Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support
US5355546A (en) * 1992-12-11 1994-10-18 Scheier Paul A Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support
US5774923A (en) * 1993-09-27 1998-07-07 Smithkline Beecham Plc Toothbrush having a flexibly linked zone in its head
US5839149A (en) * 1996-08-26 1998-11-24 Scheier; Paul A. Toothbrush with resilient flexible bristle support
WO1998035584A1 (en) * 1997-02-17 1998-08-20 Unilever Plc A toothbrush with flexibly mounted bristles
US5836036A (en) * 1997-06-20 1998-11-17 Ivory; Brian Self cleaning toothbrush

Cited By (157)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6351868B1 (en) * 1998-06-05 2002-03-05 E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Company Bristle sub-assemblies having parallel pairs of bristles; and methods
US8132284B1 (en) * 1999-04-09 2012-03-13 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Toothbrush
USRE44819E1 (en) 2000-03-16 2014-04-01 Procter & Gamble Business Services Canada Company Toothbrush
US6544169B2 (en) 2001-01-29 2003-04-08 Barzell Whitmore Maroon Bells, Inc. Eyelid retraction device
US20030041402A1 (en) * 2001-09-06 2003-03-06 Bernd Stein Methods of manufacturing toothbrushes
US20090241279A1 (en) * 2001-09-06 2009-10-01 Braun Gmbh Methods of manufacturing toothbrushes
KR100879187B1 (en) * 2002-07-18 2009-01-16 주식회사 엘지생활건강 Toothbrush having type of double-head
US20050273961A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2005-12-15 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
US8393042B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2013-03-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US9603441B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2017-03-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US9545148B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2017-01-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US9167888B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2015-10-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
EP2904934A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2015-08-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US9038229B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2015-05-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8990996B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2015-03-31 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8876221B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-11-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US6931688B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2005-08-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20050188487A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2005-09-01 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
US20050188488A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2005-09-01 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
US8839481B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-09-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US8806695B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-08-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
US8800093B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-08-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US7707677B2 (en) * 2002-08-09 2010-05-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8695148B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-04-15 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US10512323B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2019-12-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US8561247B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2013-10-22 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10194735B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2019-02-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7251849B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2007-08-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20070204417A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2007-09-06 Russell Bruce M Toothbrush
AU2010257380B2 (en) * 2002-08-09 2012-07-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible dome toothbrush
US7360270B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2008-04-22 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8151397B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2012-04-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
US7430780B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2008-10-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20080244849A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2008-10-09 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
US20080250593A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2008-10-16 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
WO2004014183A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2004-02-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible toothbrush
WO2004014181A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2004-02-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible dome toothbrush
US8091170B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2012-01-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US7975346B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2011-07-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
CN100469276C (en) * 2002-08-09 2009-03-18 高露洁-棕榄公司 Flexible arched-top toothbrush
WO2004014249A2 (en) 2002-08-09 2004-02-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7841041B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2010-11-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US20040025274A1 (en) * 2002-08-09 2004-02-12 Robert Moskovich Toothbrush
US7607190B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2009-10-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7614111B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2009-11-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
AU2003258150B2 (en) * 2002-08-09 2009-12-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible toothbrush
CN100473304C (en) * 2002-08-27 2009-04-01 高露洁-棕榄公司 Toothbrush
US20050144748A1 (en) * 2002-08-27 2005-07-07 Colgate- Palmolive Company Toothbrush
KR101082686B1 (en) 2002-08-27 2011-11-15 콜게이트-파아므올리브캄파니 toothbrush
WO2004019801A3 (en) * 2002-08-27 2004-04-22 Colgate Palmolive Co Toothbrush with flexible membrane
US7020928B2 (en) 2002-08-27 2006-04-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7937795B2 (en) 2002-09-20 2011-05-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8099820B2 (en) 2002-09-20 2012-01-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20100192319A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2010-08-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7503092B2 (en) 2002-09-20 2009-03-17 Colgate Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20090183332A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2009-07-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20040074034A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-04-22 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
WO2004039208A1 (en) * 2002-10-28 2004-05-13 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7386909B2 (en) 2002-10-28 2008-06-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20050278883A1 (en) * 2002-10-28 2005-12-22 Douglas Hohlbein Toothbrush
AU2003285016B2 (en) * 2002-10-28 2010-04-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7823243B2 (en) * 2002-11-01 2010-11-02 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20050188489A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2005-09-01 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
AU2010241214B2 (en) * 2002-11-01 2011-08-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20040117930A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-24 3M Innovative Properties Company Toothbrush
EP2292118A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2011-03-09 Trisa Holding AG Toothbrush and method for producing the same
DE10303548B4 (en) * 2003-01-29 2016-10-20 M + C Schiffer Gmbh Brush and method for its manufacture
US20060272112A9 (en) * 2003-03-14 2006-12-07 The Gillette Company Toothbrush
US7975344B2 (en) 2003-03-14 2011-07-12 The Gillette Company Toothbrush head
US20040177462A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2004-09-16 The Gillette Company Toothbrush head
US20050235439A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2005-10-27 The Gillette Company Toothbrush
US8528148B2 (en) 2003-03-14 2013-09-10 The Gillette Company Toothbrush head
US9220335B2 (en) 2003-03-14 2015-12-29 The Gillette Company Toothbrush head
US7941886B2 (en) 2003-09-19 2011-05-17 Braun Gmbh Toothbrushes
US8621698B2 (en) 2003-09-19 2014-01-07 Braun Gmbh Toothbrushes
US9204949B2 (en) 2003-09-19 2015-12-08 The Gillettte Company Toothbrushes
AU2004275825B2 (en) * 2003-09-26 2010-11-11 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible toothbrush head
US20050066462A1 (en) * 2003-09-26 2005-03-31 Moskovich Robert A. Flexible toothbrush head
US7275277B2 (en) * 2003-09-26 2007-10-02 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible toothbrush head
US7757326B2 (en) 2003-10-30 2010-07-20 Cologate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
US7703163B2 (en) 2003-10-30 2010-04-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
US20050091767A1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2005-05-05 Eduardo Jimenez Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
US20050091769A1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2005-05-05 Eduardo Jimenez Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
US20100263148A1 (en) * 2003-10-30 2010-10-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
GB2413267B (en) * 2004-04-19 2009-02-11 Paul Michael Clements Variable function toothbrushes
GB2413267A (en) * 2004-04-19 2005-10-26 Paul Michael Clements A rotary toothbrush powered by a hand operated lever
US8332982B2 (en) 2004-04-23 2012-12-18 The Gillette Company Vibrating toothbrush
US8042217B2 (en) * 2004-11-02 2011-10-25 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush and method of making the same
US20060090276A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush and method of making the same
US20090038097A1 (en) * 2005-06-09 2009-02-12 Christoph Geiberger Toothbrush
US9185967B2 (en) * 2005-06-09 2015-11-17 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Toothbrush
US8578546B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2013-11-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having one or more moving pieces
US8281448B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2012-10-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having one or more moving sections
US9271564B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2016-03-01 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having one or more moving sections
US8857919B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2014-10-14 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having one or more moving sections
USD637400S1 (en) 2006-05-08 2011-05-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD637003S1 (en) 2006-05-08 2011-05-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US9504312B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2016-11-29 The Gillette Company Llc Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same
US8578544B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2013-11-12 The Gillette Company Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same
US20100072641A1 (en) * 2008-09-24 2010-03-25 Alice Weimin Liu Method for Cast Molding Contact Lenses
US20110047736A1 (en) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-03 Colgate Palmolive Oral Care Implement Having Diverging Cleaning Elements
US8387196B2 (en) 2009-08-26 2013-03-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having a turbine-like arrangement of cleaning elements
US20110047734A1 (en) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-03 Colgate Palmolive Oral Care Implement Having A Turbine-Like Arrangement of Cleaning Elements
USD654696S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-02-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner
US11819113B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2023-11-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multiple soft tissue cleaner components
USD869171S1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2019-12-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US8500766B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2013-08-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement multiple soft tissue cleaner components
USD675830S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2013-02-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD671326S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-11-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush handle
USD670503S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-11-13 Colgate-Palmolive Company Head portion of a toothbrush
USD670505S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-11-13 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner
USD669689S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-10-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner
US10231536B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2019-03-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multiple soft tissue cleaner components
USD669688S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-10-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Head portion of a toothbrush
USD654695S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-02-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD654270S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2012-02-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush handle
US8863345B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2014-10-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having a closed-loop arrangement of cleaning elements
US9586350B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2017-03-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multiple soft tissue cleaner components
US20110146014A1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2011-06-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral Care Implement Having A Closed-Loop Arrangement of Cleaning Elements
USD821755S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2018-07-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US11576483B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2023-02-14 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multiple soft tissue cleaner components
USD831359S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2018-10-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD832586S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2018-11-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD915077S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2021-04-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US20110152909A1 (en) * 2009-12-18 2011-06-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral Care Implement Multiple Soft Tissue Cleaner Components
USD841335S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2019-02-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD632484S1 (en) 2009-12-18 2011-02-15 Eduardo Jimenez Toothbrush handle with tissue cleaner
EP2632293B1 (en) 2010-10-25 2016-09-28 Zahoransky Formenbau Gmbh Brush and method for producing a brush
US20130205529A1 (en) * 2010-10-25 2013-08-15 Zahoransky Formenbau Gmbh Brush and method for producing a brush
US10455931B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-10-29 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10835026B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-11-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD1004980S1 (en) 2014-12-23 2023-11-21 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD780457S1 (en) 2014-12-23 2017-03-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10226118B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-03-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multi-component handle
US11779102B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2023-10-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10595628B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-03-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD883676S1 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-05-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and portions thereof
US10660430B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-05-26 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multi-component handle
US10687610B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-06-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10743646B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-08-18 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10021959B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2018-07-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multi-component handle
US11291293B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2022-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10426250B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-10-01 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10182644B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-01-22 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US11229281B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2022-01-25 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US11224281B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2022-01-18 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head arrangements
US11147658B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2021-10-19 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly and methods of manufacture
US10750847B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2020-08-25 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head arrangements
US10575627B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2020-03-03 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly and methods of manufacture
US10376349B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2019-08-13 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly
US10500024B2 (en) 2015-05-14 2019-12-10 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly and methods of manufacture
US10799014B2 (en) * 2015-07-20 2020-10-13 Manta Hair Limited Flexible hair brush
US11517412B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2022-12-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US11833004B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2023-12-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof
USD997567S1 (en) 2018-12-18 2023-09-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Electric toothbrush
US11160361B2 (en) 2019-06-28 2021-11-02 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Brush head assembly
USD960582S1 (en) 2020-12-10 2022-08-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care refill head

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SK11432001A3 (en) 2001-12-03
BR0008114A (en) 2002-03-12
NO20013885L (en) 2001-10-04
YU58001A (en) 2003-02-28
JP2002536097A (en) 2002-10-29
EP1150591B1 (en) 2004-05-19
DE60010858T2 (en) 2005-06-09
CA2361549C (en) 2007-08-07
PL349922A1 (en) 2002-10-21
AR024531A1 (en) 2002-10-16
EP1150591A1 (en) 2001-11-07
CN1346243A (en) 2002-04-24
ZA200106702B (en) 2002-12-17
EG22671A (en) 2003-06-30
PE20001315A1 (en) 2000-11-30
PA8490501A1 (en) 2001-04-30
CO5231168A1 (en) 2002-12-27
TR200102305T2 (en) 2002-01-21
BG64332B1 (en) 2004-10-29
ID30356A (en) 2001-11-22
NO20013885D0 (en) 2001-08-09
HUP0200156A2 (en) 2002-05-29
AU762347B2 (en) 2003-06-26
TW578482U (en) 2004-03-01
HK1043716A1 (en) 2002-09-27
CN1144551C (en) 2004-04-07
RU2244502C2 (en) 2005-01-20
GT200000012A (en) 2001-07-31
UA68415C2 (en) 2004-08-16
ES2221838T3 (en) 2005-01-16
KR20010093333A (en) 2001-10-27
AU2875900A (en) 2000-08-29
CA2361549A1 (en) 2000-08-17
NZ513494A (en) 2003-03-28
ATE266953T1 (en) 2004-06-15
WO2000047083A1 (en) 2000-08-17
KR100606524B1 (en) 2006-07-31
CZ20012887A3 (en) 2002-03-13
BG105876A (en) 2002-04-30
IL144735A0 (en) 2002-06-30
DE60010858D1 (en) 2004-06-24
HK1043716B (en) 2005-03-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6088870A (en) Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
US6292973B1 (en) Toothbrush having controlled head movement
US6115870A (en) Toothbrush
AU730291B2 (en) Contouring toothbrush head
US6314605B1 (en) Toothbrush
US20060010631A1 (en) Toothbrush
CA2262865C (en) A toothbrush
AU767687B2 (en) Toothbrush having controlled head movement
WO2000015077A9 (en) Toothbrush head with an elastomeric bumper
MXPA01007964A (en) Toothbrush head with flexibly mounted bristles
AU7248000A (en) Contouring toothbrush head

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY, NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HOHLBEIN, DOUGLAS J.;REEL/FRAME:009774/0969

Effective date: 19990210

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12